WhatsApp adds new festive features – but they won’t be here for long

31.12.2024 19:45

«Metro UK»

There are only a few days left to make use of WhatsApp’s New Year’s Eve features (Picture: Jaque Silva/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock)

WhatsApp has added a little colour to the chat to welcome in the New Year.

As if a controversial new ‘typing’ icon wasn’t enough of a refresh, the messaging platform’s latest update includes some fun new animations.

Celebratory emoji reactions – including champagne flutes, popping bottle, or the party hat and party popper – release a pop of confetti on your screen.

Second in the trio of festive updates is a selection of new backgrounds, filters and falling confetti you can choose from when making video calls.

Finally, WhatsApp has released a whole New Year’s Even sticker pack with themed avatar stickers.

‘Whether you’re sending a cheerful greeting or a heartful message, these make it more fun and easy to convey your feelings in a fun and creative way’, a WhatsApp spokesperson said.

There’s a lot to play around with, buy you don’t have much time to check it out.

You might need to update your app to avail of this trio of new features (Picture: WhatsApp)

There’s a whole range of stickers, backgrounds, filters and emojis to choose from (Picture: WhatsApp)

A spokesperson said: ‘To celebrate the new year on WhatsApp, we’re excited to surprise users with some fun features to enjoy when chatting or calling with friends and family.

‘These limited-time features will be available starting tomorrow 20th December to 3rd January, adding a little extra excitement to holiday conversations.’

So how can you make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp that lets you avail of the fun?

How to update apps on an Android device

Open the Google Play Store app.
Either search for the app you want and click update, or
Tap the profile icon in the top right corner.
Tap Manage apps and device.
Click Manage
Scroll to the app you want.
Tap the app icon to open its details page.
Tap update, or turn on Enable auto update.

How to update apps on an iPhone or iPad

Open the App Store.
Tap the My Account button or your photo at the top of the screen.
Scroll down to see pending updates.
Tap Update next to the app you want to update.

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